George Gershwin Headshot

George Gershwin

Date of Death: July 11, 1937 (38)

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY

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George Gershwin BIO

George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn on September 26, 1898, and began his musical training when he was 13. At 16 he quit high school to work as a "song plugger" for a music publisher, and soon he was writing songs himself. "Swanee," as introduced by Al Jolson, brought George his first real fame and led to his writing a succession of 22 musical comedies, most with his older brother, Ira. The Gershwins' shows include Lady Be Good, Oh, Kay!, Strike Up the Band, Girl Crazy, and the Pulitzer Prize winning Of Thee I Sing. From his early career George had ambitions to compose serious music, and his classical masterpieces include "Rhapsody In Blue," "Concerto In F," "An American In Paris" and "Second Rhapsody." In the late '20s George became fascinated by the DuBose Heyward novel Porgy, recognizing it as a perfect vehicle for opera using jazz and blues idioms. The folk opera Porgy and Bess had its Broadway premiere in October of 1935. In 1937 George was at the height of his career. While working on the score of The Goldwyn Follies in Hollywood, he collapsed, and on July 11, died of a brain tumor. He was not quite 39 years old.

George Gershwin Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
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[Broadway, 2015]
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[Off-Broadway, 2015]
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[Paris, 2014]
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[Broadway, 1937]
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George Gershwin Movies

Shall We Dance
[ 1937 ] music by
The Goldwyn Follies
[ 1938 ] music by
Rhapsody in Blue
[ 1945 ] music
An American in Paris
[ 1951 ] music by
Funny Face
[ 1957 ] songwriter
Kiss Me, Stupid
[ 1964 ] songs by
The Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess'
[ 2013 ] music
An American in Paris - The Musical
[ 2018 ] music and lyrics by

George Gershwin Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Best New Musical

George GershwinThe Gershwins' Porgy And Bess


winner
Olivier Awards - 1993 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

George Gershwin, Crazy For You

George Gershwin Videos

George Gershwin News


JULIET EWING: RISE UP SINGING Returns To Don't Tell Mama This June


Juliet Ewing returns with her solo cabaret debut, 'Rise Up Singing,' featuring the music of George Gershwin on June 19 at 7PM at DON'T TELL MAMA.

Review: Opening Night at Pops Showcases George Gershwin, Harry Connick, Jr., and More


There were three great pianists on the program when the Boston Pops recently opened its 138th season at Symphony Hall.

Cast and Creatives Set For PORGY AND BESS at Music Theater Heritage


Music Theater Heritage has announced the cast and creative team for The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Performances run June 6 through June 23.

Springfield Chamber Players Return To Longmeadow Adult Center For Free Outdoor Concert


The Springfield Chamber Players will return to the Longmeadow Adult Center with a free performance by Quartetto Mosso on Thursday, June 13, at 6PM. The performance, held rain or shine, features violinists Ronald Gorevic and Beth Welty, violist Delores Thayer, and cellist Yoonhee Ko.

SOUTH PACIFIC & More Announced For Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston's 55th Season


Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston (RMT) will bring three timeless and timely classics to the stage for its 55th Season: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific (June 14- June 23, 2024),  All Shook Up, inspired by the music of Elvis Presley (July 12 - July 21, 2024), and An American in Paris (August 9 - August 18, 2024). 

Photos: Inside An Evening With Jason Robert Brown at 92NY


The 92NY Lyrics & Lyricists presented An Evening with Jason Robert Brown last night.  Check out photos here!

Reagle Music Theatre Of Greater Boston Reveals 55th Season


Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston will bring three timeless and timely classics to the stage for its 55th Season. Learn more about the lineup here!

South Coast Repertory Announces LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS And More For 2024-25 Season


Discover the exciting lineup for SOUTH COAST REPERTORY's 2024-25 Season, featuring three world premieres: JOAN by Daniel Goldstein, THE STAIRCASE by Noa Gardner, and a surprise play yet to be announced.

Louisa Lee Poster Brings SWINGING DOWN TIN PAN ALLEY To Silvana Tonight


Visit Silvana on May 8, 2024 for an evening of jazz with Louisa Lee Poster in SWINGING DOWN TIN PAN ALLEY.

Review: THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Bastrop Opera House


The musicals of the 1920s-1940s are rich territory for parody since many imported the stylistic elements (vaudeville, dance hall style, revue, et al.) of popular entertainment of the era to carry the shows, often disadvantaging well-developed plot lines and complex characters.

Celebrity Series of Boston Reveals 2024/25 Season


Celebrity Series of Boston has announced its 2024/25 season, marking 86 years of bringing world-class touring and local performing artists to Boston. Learn more about the season lineup here!

PACIFIC SYMPHONY SUMMERFEST 2024 Season Announced At Irvine's New Amphitheater


A new chapter begins for Pacific Symphony and the Orange County community, when the orchestra settles into its brand new summer home at Great Park Live located in the heart of Irvine

Santa Barbara Symphony Season Finale Weekend Will Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue


The Santa Barbara Symphony will conclude its 2023/24 Season with Rhapsody in Blue @ 100: Jazz Comes to The Symphony on Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 at 3 p.m. at The Granada Theatre.

Steve Ross to Present FINDING WORDS FOR SPRING at Birdland


BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present the return of acclaimed pianist and singer Steve Ross in his new evening “Finding Words for Spring”. Learn how to purchase tickets.

El Ensamble Unforgettable Rendirá Homenaje A Tony Bennett En El Ciclo Jazz Y Algo Más...


En el marco del programa Música Inbal en los museos, dentro del ciclo Jazz y algo más…, organizado por la Secretaría de Cultura federal y el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes y Literatura (Inbal), se llevará a cabo el concierto Unforgettable, Recordando a Tony Bennett, el domingo 28 de abril, a las 13:30 h, en el Museo José Luis Cuevas.

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Reveals Cristian MÓ�celaru as Next Music Director


The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has appointed conductor Cristian Mӑcelaru as the 14th Music Director in the Orchestra’s 129-year history, succeeding Louis Langrée.

Sarasota Orchestra Reveals 2024-2025 Season Featuring Five Concert Series & More


Sarasota Orchestra has unveiled its 2024-2025 season. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

11,000+ NYC Students Participate In Interactive Link Up Concerts At Carnegie Hall This May


Over 11,000 students from New York City will participate in the interactive Link Up concerts at Carnegie Hall from May 21 to 23, 2024, as part of an innovative educational program.

Edmonton Jazz Festival Society To Present JazzFest Marque Winspear Event


Discover the fusion of Edmonton Jazz Orchestra and Edmonton Symphony Orchestra at the JazzFest Marque Winspear Event.

New Jersey Symphony Summer Season to Feature GODFATHER, BAAHUBALI, Free Parks Concerts, and More


The New Jersey Symphony will present two epic films in concert with the score played live by the orchestra this summer, as well as concerts in the parks, a concert featuring emerging composers and a free preview concert of the upcoming 2024–25 season.

George Gershwin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has George Gershwin written?

George Gershwin has written 48 shows including Half-Past Eight (Composer), La, La, Lucille (Composer), La-La-Lucille! (Composer), Morris Gest's "Midnight Whirl" (Composer), George White's Scandals [1920] (Composer), Snapshots of 1921 (Composer), The Broadway Whirl (Composer), George White's Scandals [1921] (Composer), The French Doll (Composer), George White's Scandals [1922] (Composer), Our Nell (Composer), George White's Scandals [1923] (Composer), Sweet Little Devil (Composer), George White's Scandals [1924] (Composer), Primrose (Composer), Lady, Be Good (Composer), Tell Me More! (Composer), Tip-Toes (Composer), Song of the Flame (Composer), Oh, Kay! (Composer), Strike Up the Band (Composer), Funny Face (Composer), Rosalie (Composer), Treasure Girl (Composer), Show Girl (Composer), Girl Crazy (Composer), Of Thee I Sing (Composer), Pardon My English (Composer), Let 'Em Eat Cake (Composer), Porgy and Bess (Composer), All Points West (Composer), Who Cares? (Composer), Do It Again! (Composer), Mr. Words (Composer), My One and Only (Composer), Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Additional Music), Reaching for the Moon (Composer), Crazy for You (Composer), The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (Composer/Lyricist), Jolson & Co. (Composer/Lyricist), American Rhapsody: A New Musical Revue (Composer), George Gershwin Alone (Composer/Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Gershwins' An American In Paris (Composer), Come Fly Away (Composer), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Composer), A Night With Janis Joplin (Composer).

What awards has George Gershwin been nominated for?

George Gershwin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess" and the American Express Award for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Crazy For You". These nominations highlight the recognition and acclaim that Gershwin's musical works have received in the industry.

What awards has George Gershwin won?

George Gershwin has won the American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for "Crazy For You".

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